Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 7, 1 July 2008 — Fishing registration [ARTICLE]

Fishing registration

Loeal anglers are anything but hooked on the federal government's proposed plan to register recreational fishennen who venture into federal waters 3 to 200 miles off the Hawaiian Island coastline. Under rule changes proposed by the National Oeeanie and Atmospheric Administration, fishing registration would begin next year; additionally, a license fee of $15 to $25 would be imposed beginning in 2011. Native Hawaiians would be exempt from paying the license fee. Recreational fishennen balk at the NOAA move, because they say it will add cost to an activity whieh is already becoming more expensive with rising boat fuel prices. They also fear it will be used to set limits on their catch. NOAA said the plan will help get a more complete picture of recreahonal fishing's effect on both the loeal economy and the heahh of Hawaiian Island fisheries. Loeal anglers and spear fishers are especially concerned by the prospect of having their relatively small catch measured by NOAA. They are concerned that they will eventually be penalized for the damage done by coimnercial fishing boats that take large hauls. The deadline for puhlie eomment on the proposed rule change is Aug. 11. Comments ean be mailed to NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, Attn: Gordon Colvin. Connnents ean also be submitted via www.regulations.gov.